I do believe that this is the first time this year that I have started writing the weekly blog with the sun shining!

What with that and the fact that all the clocks went forward recently it could mean that some of the Hedsor irregulars can come out again. I really do appreciate that many people as they get older find driving at night much more difficult. I really don’t think it is my imagination, but modern car headlights do seem to produce more glare than the old fashioned Lucas 7” round ones! So if you are thinking of coming out to listen to live jazz again after a winter of discontent, then Hedsor Jazz welcomes you.

And this week (April 6th) we welcome one of our regular favourite saxophonists, Duncan Lamont Jr. This time he is bringing with him a new player to Hedsor. Vibraphone player Roan Kearsey-Lawson. Do take a look at his website https://www.roankearseylawson.co.uk/, it should be a VERY interesting Thursday. 

This week Martin is on holiday (he has gone all Silly!) and the drums will be propelled by Mike Jeffries in Martin’s place. On keyboard we have our regular keyboard player, Ken McCarthy, and as usual I haven’t a clue who Martin has booked on bass! For those readers who are not as regular as I would like you to be (at Hedsor Jazz I mean of course) our practice regarding the rhythm section is to have a variety of bass players, whilst maintaining Ken and Martin as part of the staple product.

Last week was another of those jazz gatherings that produced a really special vibe. Our front line consisted of saxophonist Alam Nathoo and trumpeter Stuart Henderson. They were backed by Ken McCarthy and Mike Jeffries with Esther Ng on bass. In the second set they were joined for one number by singer Paul Cherrie.

Alam and Stuart had never even met before, let alone played together before, so initially I felt they were feeling their way, but the second set produced music worthy of the best modern jazz you can hear anywhere. I feel that Hedsor Jazz has just been in at the beginning of another great pairing. Wonderful music with “Joy Spring”, “Sidewinder”, “When Sonny Gets Blue” and “Work Song” all getting played in the second set, with individual solo work from everyone. My photos are below.

Both Alam and Stuart will be with us again in May, see list below. I will produce a poster/leaflet for May soon, but do put these dates in your diary NOW. In my view they are all UNMISABLE! 

May 4^th

Alam Nathoo and Frank Walden

May 11^th

Stuart Henderson and Johnathan Lewis

May 18^th

Nigel Price and Ollie Wilby

Singer Paul Cherrie has a new CD just out, and I will give it a write up soon, but “Up Jumped Spring” is now available, and has some Lester Brown on it for good measure! See www.cherry-ripe.co.uk for more information.

 

One final plug.

Many years ago we took Hedsor Jazz to School, and ran an all day jazz festival in St Pirans School.

This year, after our donation of funds for Ukraine made via The Maidenhead United Reformed Church, we are taking Hedsor Jazz to Church!! Yes, on Sunday April 30^th I will be introducing Gill Cook, Alam Nathoo, Ken McCarthy, Peter Hughes and Martin Hart to the joint congregations of Maidenhead and Marlow’s United Reformed Churches for a 10.30am service. All are welcome, and I must say I am amused by their diary entry for the morning – 

Jazz Service

• Sunday, 30 April 2023
• 10:30  11:30

“Something very different this week: our friend Geoff Cronin returns to lead us in a Sunday Jazz Service. You’ve never seen- or heard-anything quite like it! Dont miss it.” 

And that is their words not mine! See for yourself https://www.maidenheadurc.org.uk/

And one last mention. One of our regular Hedsor Jazz attendees has recently been unwell, and last week was again in hospital. On all of our behalf’s can I wish Michael well. We need you back at Hedsor Jazz more that the hospital does!